408 Hurt

"But it wasn't 'nothing', was it, Evana? If it was nothing, we wouldn't be here, having this conversation."

Evana felt the weight of his words like a physical blow. She had never intended to exclude him. But Lucien wasn't done with what he has to say. Words that he had kept locked up in his heart, "You chose to keep me in the dark, not just about the rumors, but about Henrik's advances towards you. And there were others, weren't there? Maybe none as clear as that kiss. That's not 'nothing'. That's a choice, Evana. A choice to exclude me from a part of your life that clearly needed my attention. Why?"

Evana leaned forward, hugging herself as if to ward off a chill.She had never intended to exclude him or make him feel sidelined. Her intention had been to protect their relationship from unnecessary drama, but she saw now how her actions had led to the very outcome she had hoped to avoid.